Tray receptacle apron bib garment

ABSTRACT

An outer garment is disclosed that includes an upper portion having upper portion pliant edges and two neck end portions to secure the upper portion to a user&#39;s neck; and a lower portion joined to the upper portion. The lower portion includes pliant lower portion edges coupled to the upper portion pliant edges; a pliant support mesh/grid covering a rectangular area defined by the lower portion edges; and an edge joining fastener or strap mechanism/system to secure two adjacent lower portion edges together. The outer garment includes a three-dimensional tray/receptacle that is formed when the lower edges are joined together by Velcro fasteners.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to the use of protective wearcombined with functional accessories such as aprons and bibs as well astrays and receptacles or containers.

Aprons and cloaks are commonly used as outer protective garments thatcover primarily the front of the body. They are commonly worn to protectclothes from damage. At times users have also worn them to protect theirclothing from soiling by food or drink inside a car, mainly bib aprons.However bib aprons alone do not address other problems associated withfood and drink consumption in a vehicle, such as lack of easy access tofood and food items displacement.

However, spillage of food and drink inside a vehicle is an occasionallyexpected, if undesirable, byproduct of eating/drinking and driving orcommuting combination. Perhaps worse though, is the possibility ofspillage on one's clothing during a commute to work, with the resultingneed to wear stained or soiled clothing for the entire workday.Depending upon the nature of the clothing, it may require dry cleaningrather than home laundering, with costs easily exceeding the cost of themeal purchased.

As noted in U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,968, eating and drinking in one's carwhile traveling has become ever more popular, as people continually seekways to save time while performing various tasks necessary to dailylife. This is especially true of many commuters, who will often skipbreakfast at home, stop at a fast food outlet on their way to work, andhave their breakfast during the remainder of their drive to work. Manycar-pooling drivers and passengers routinely use this method of havingtheir breakfast. The use of convenience stores, fast food outlets, andother establishments for lunch meals and evening meals by commuters andothers with busy schedules, is also common in today's culture. Automanufacturers have come to realize the popularity of eating and drinkingwhile driving, and accordingly virtually all cars manufactured today areavailable with cup holders and the like to assist the motorist. The '968invention solves this problem with an apron preferably formed of arelatively thin sheet of polyethylene plastic or other material (e. g.,coated paper or fabric), in order to be impervious to liquid and otherspills. However, this apron cannot serve as a tray where food items canrest, and the apron does not provide easy access to food and otherobjects in the tray.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,496,970 discloses a bib or carrying receptacle thatprevents soiling and guides crumbs and/or food debris into a box orpouch. However, the bib/carrying receptacle is designed to be disposableand therefore the pouch or box is not sturdy enough to act as acontainer that secures food items in place. Moreover, the receptacleportion does not act as a platform where food items can rest and beaccessed readily. Moreover, the pouch is not moldable and thereforecannot be adjusted to hold in place and secure different sized items.

Additionally, the use of certain commercially available products such asThe SLOBSTOPPER™ may protect clothing and car seats from soiling.Slobstopper is designed to protect drivers from beverage spills, butSlobstopper does not provide a platform for accessing food items andsecuring those items in place.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, an outer garment includes:

-   -   a. an upper portion having upper portion pliant edges and two        neck end portions to secure the upper portion to a user's neck;        and    -   b. a lower portion joined to the upper portion, the lower        portion including        -   i. pliant lower portion edges coupled to the upper portion            pliant edges;        -   ii. a pliant support mesh or grid covering an area defined            by the lower portion edges; and        -   iii. an edge joining fastener to secure two adjacent lower            portion edges together.

In another embodiment, a method to protect clothing from soilingincludes:

wearing an outer garment having an upper portion having upper portionpliant edges and two neck end portions to secure the upper portion to auser's neck; and a lower portion joined to the upper portion, the lowerportion including pliant lower portion edges coupled to the upperportion pliant edges; a pliant support mesh or grid covering an areadefined by the lower portion edges; and an edge joining fastener tosecure two adjacent lower portion edges together; and

forming a three-dimensional open ended container by securing adjacentlower portion edges together.

In yet another embodiment, an outer garment includes:

-   -   an upper portion including:        -   upper portion pliant edges;        -   a pocket positioned on the upper portion to store one or            more items; and two neck end portions to secure the upper            portion to a user's neck; and a lower portion joined to the            upper portion, the lower portion including pliant lower            portion edges coupled to the upper portion pliant edges; a            pliant support mesh covering an area defined by the lower            portion edges;        -   a first edge-joining fastener to secure two adjacent lower            portion edges together; and        -   a second edge joining fastener to secure two adjacent lower            portion edges together, wherein the first and second joining            fasteners form a three dimensional food receptacle region.

Implementations of the above embodiments can include one or more of thefollowing: the pliant support mesh comprises wires inserted into wirereceptacles formed on the lower portion and wherein the pliant edgesinclude wires inserted into wire receptacles. The neck end portions aresecured by a button, hook and loop, or a clip. One or more receptacleson the lower portion can be formed to receive a toy or a utensil. Theupper and lower portions are foldable for storage. A pocket can bepositioned on the upper portion to store one or more items. A secondedge joining fastener can secure the other two adjacent lower portionedges together. The pliant support mesh can include wires inserted intowire receptacles formed on the lower portion and wherein the pliantedges comprise wires inserted into wire receptacles, wherein the wiresallow the pliant support mesh to be molded by the user to form a userdefined three-dimensional shape. One or more zippered pouches can bepositioned on the lower portion to store one or more objects therein andVelcro straps can be positioned on the lower portion to attach one ormore objects having a corresponding Velcro strap. The user can changethe shape of the three-dimensional open-ended container by adjusting thepliant edges. The user can place food in the open container and eat foodin a confined space such as a vehicle.

Advantages of the garment may include one or more of the following. Theabove garment can be used as protective wear and it combines functionalaccessories such as aprons and bibs with other functional accessoriessuch as trays and receptacles or containers. The garment can be used bydrivers and passengers in a car to protect their clothing and car seatsfrom soiling, to hold food items in place, and to provide easy access tofood items and other objects. The garment can also be used by childrentraveling on a car seat to protect their clothing and seats fromsoiling, to hold toys and/or other objects securely in place, to provideeasy access to said objects and/or toys, and to act as a platform wherechildren can play with said objects and/or toys.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows one exemplary outer garment illustrating the componentsthat make up the preferred embodiments and related elements.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary perspective view of FIG. 1 during use.

FIG. 3 shows exemplary supporting structures for the garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows another exemplary garment for a child.

DESCRIPTION

In FIG. 1, one embodiment of a protective outer garment 10 consists ofan upper portion “apron bib” 20, and a lower portion “tray receptacle”60. The garment is attached to user's upper body by securing two tipends 30 together using any suitable means including a snap button orVelcro, around user's neck. The apron bib portion has pliant edges 40that can be molded in order to guide crumbs or other loose foodparticles into the receptacle portion of garment. In one embodiment, thepliant edges 40 are wire-filled. Thus, the pliant edges 40 can be easilybent and are easily modified; adaptable; flexible so that the edges canyield readily to influence by the user and thus become compliant withthe user's needs. In one embodiment, the edges 40 can be supported bywires, among others. The upper portion also hosts a large pocket 50,capable of holding a cell phone, napkins and other utensils. In oneembodiment, the moldable lower tray receptacle portion 60 is made fromvinyl sheets sewn together and supported by a pliant grid or mesh havinghorizontal wire strips 80 and vertical wire strips 100. The pliant gridincludes vertical and horizontal water resistant plastic-covered wirestrips. The outer garment of FIG. 1 is shown fully extended with theedges resting flat and thus showing how it can be conveniently foldedfor compact storage. In one embodiment, fastener (such as Velcro) edges90 are positioned on the lowest right and left cells of the grid, allowthe flat lower portion of garment to be converted into a 3-dimmensionaltray receptacle by joining them together. The Velcro coverededges/strips 70 can be used to attach small cups or objects withcorresponding Velcro edges/strips mounted thereon.

Velcro is the brand name of the first commercially marketed fabrichook-and-loop fastener. The word Velcro is a portmanteau of the twoFrench words velour and crochet, or “hook”. Hook-and-loop fastenersconsist of two components: typically, two lineal fabric strips (or,alternatively, round “dots” or squares) which are attached (e.g., sewn,adhered, etc.) to the opposing surfaces to be fastened. The firstcomponent features tiny hooks; the second features even smaller and“hairier” loops. When the two faces are pressed together, the hookscatch in the loops and the two pieces fasten or bind temporarily. Whenseparated, by pulling or peeling the two surfaces apart, the Velcrostrips make a distinctive “ripping” sound.

In one embodiment, the outer garment forms a bib garment that enablesdrivers and passengers in a car to protect their clothing and car seatsfrom soilure, to hold food items in place and to provide easy access tofood items and other objects. The drivers and passengers' clothing isprotected by the upper ‘apron bib’ portion of this hybrid garment, nodifferent than other apron bibs. However, the lower ‘receptacle tray’portion, holds food items in place making them easily accessible andpreventing distractions as well as potential dangerous situationsstemming from those distractions. Additionally, the moldable receptacletray is also suitable for keeping other objects in place such as foodcondiments and other non-food items like napkins, notes, cell phones,etc. Attaching Velcro covered small cups, receptacles or containers tothe Velcro strips on opposite sides of the grid (70) and filling them upprovides an even more convenient way of accessing condiments.

Although the preferred embodiment was conceived primarily for use bydrivers and passengers in a car, the instant outer garment can easily beused by other people, for example, at sporting events, outdoor concerts,picnics, as well as travelers using other means of transportation suchas trains, boats, and buses.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary perspective view of FIG. 1 during use. In FIG.2, the invention provides a method to protect clothing from soilure whenthe user wears the outer garment 10 having upper portion pliant edges40A-40B and two neck end portions 30A-30B to secure the upper portion toa user's neck. As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the garment includesthe lower portion 60 joined to the upper portion 20, the lower portion60 including pliant lower portion edges 41A-41D coupled to the upperportion pliant edges 40A-40B. A pliant support mesh covers an areadefined by the lower portion edges 41A-41D. The garment also includes aplurality of edge joining fasteners (strap mechanisms/systems) 130 tosecure two adjacent lower portion edges together. The strap 130 includesVelcro portions 90A-90B in loop/hook so that the Velcro edges are simplysqueezed together to form the basin to secure the edges together. Theuser can form a three-dimensional open-ended rectangular container(basin) by securing the joining fasteners 130 of adjacent lower portionedges together. The user can place food in the open container and eatfood in a confined space such as the inside of a vehicle.

Turning now to FIG. 3, more details on the mesh/grid support structure110 is shown. In the mesh or grid, plastic-covered strips of wire 80 and100 are intertwined into two leaves or panes of vinyl that when puttogether constitute the 3D basin or 3D tray-receptacle portion of thegarment. In one embodiment, the vinyl panes are first sewn togetherleaving tiny vertical and horizontal ‘canals’. After the sewing is done,the wire is inserted through the ‘canals’. Lastly the edges are sewnagain to trap the wire inside the canals. Also, as shown in FIG. 2,fastener (such as Velcro) edges 90 are positioned on the lowest rightand left cells of the grid, allow the flat lower portion of garment tobe converted into a 3D tray receptacle by joining them together.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary perspective view of a child garment. The childgarment includes a chest pocket 52. One or more zippered pockets200A-200B can be sewn to the tray/receptacle portion of the garment tostore utensils, crayons, toys or other objects. Additionally, a Velcrostrip 210A allows the garment to securely attach another object such asa bowl 212 with a corresponding Velcro strip 210B.

One embodiment of the invention is made of a combination of permeableand impermeable fabrics such as cotton, polyester, polyurethanelaminated polyester (PUL fabric) vinyl, and water-resistant wire,zippers and Velcro. Additional benefits to one embodiment of theinvention are: In the case of tray receptacle apron bib garment designedespecially for kids, the tray portion of the invention can be extremelyuseful in holding objects such as toys, cards, puzzles, and Legos inplace and keeping them from flying off kids' reach and thus keeping kidshappy, a very big plus for parents. Furthermore, the kids' garment cancontain zipper pockets where toys and other useful objects can be stowedaway and reused the next time children ride in the car.

The outer garment is designed to be functional and durable. It ismachine-washable and therefore it can be re-used. It is intended to bemade of eco-friendly fabrics capable of being recycled thus aligningitself with environmentally safe practices and sustainable businessmodels. Embodiments of the outer garments can provide the followingfeatures:

1) A means of wearing and/or using the outer garment to protect theclothing of drivers and passengers from soilure by food and beverageinside a car;

2) A means of wearing and/or using the outer garment to protect carseats from soilure by food and beverage;

3) A means of wearing and/or using the outer garment to provide easyaccess to food items and other objects to drivers and passengers insidea car;

4) A means of wearing and/or using outer garment to hold food items orother objects in place, preventing said items from being displaced andthus preventing drivers and passengers from being distracted;

5) In the case of kids, a means of wearing and/or using the outergarment to hold toys or objects of entertainment such as puzzles, Legos,books, coloring notebooks, crayons, etc. securely in place and serve asa playing platform;

6) In the case of kids, a means of wearing and/or using the outergarment to stow away important, useful items inside zipper pockets sothat they can be easily retrieved and reused on future car-rides.

7) A means of wearing and or using outer garment by travelers wishing toenjoy a meal in a more practical, convenient way while traveling byplane, train, bus and other means of transportation.

8) A means of wearing and or using outer garment by spectators wishingto enjoy a meal in a more practical, convenient way while attendingsporting events, stadium concerts, and outdoor events.

In conclusion, herein is presented a hybrid bib for safeguardingclothing and asset protection of a user from spills, stains, or burns,while eating, drinking, or smoking. The bib is particularly useful whentraveling or at outdoor events or at parks. The hybrid bib can also holdand provide easy access to food and other items in addition tosafeguarding clothing.

The invention is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, andthroughout the written description. It should be understood thatnumerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventiveconcept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the presentinvention.

The foregoing illustrates the preferred embodiments and broadly statesthe methodologies that may be used in order to enable drivers,passengers and people in general to have a more pleasant, safe and cleanexperience while consuming food or beverage items inside a vehicle orother means of transportation, in confined spaces such as sports arenasand while being outdoors. And in the case of kids, the system enablesthem to have a more pleasant experience by keeping objects ofentertainment in place and within easy reach.

While there have been described above the principles of the presentinvention in conjunction with specific materials and deploymentscenarios, it is to be clearly understood that the foregoing descriptionis made only by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope ofthe invention. Particularly, it is recognized that the teachings of theforegoing disclosure will suggest other modifications to those personsskilled in the relevant art. Such modifications may involve otherfeatures which are already known per se and which may be used instead ofor in addition to features already described herein. Although claimshave been formulated in this application to particular combinations offeatures, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosureherein also includes any novel feature or any novel combination offeatures disclosed either explicitly or implicitly or any generalizationor modification thereof which would be apparent to persons skilled inthe relevant art, whether or not such relates to the same invention aspresently claimed in any claim and whether or not it mitigates any orall of the same technical problems as confronted by the presentinvention. The applicants hereby reserve the right to formulate newclaims to such features and/or combinations of such features during theprosecution of the present application or of any further applicationderived therefrom.

What is claimed is:
 1. An outer garment, comprising: a. an upper portionhaving upper portion pliant edges and two neck end portions to securethe upper portion to a user's neck; and b. a lower portion joined to theupper portion, the lower portion including i. pliant lower portion edgescoupled to the upper portion pliant edges; ii. a pliant support mesh orgrid covering an area defined by the lower portion edges; and iii. anedge joining fastener to secure two adjacent lower portion edgestogether.
 2. The garment of claim 1, comprising a pocket positioned onthe upper portion to store one or more items.
 3. The garment of claim 1,comprising a second edge joining fastener to secure two adjacent lowerportion edges together.
 4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the pliantsupport mesh or grid comprises plastic-covered strips of wireintertwined into two leaves or panes of polymeric material and whereinthe vinyl panes are sewn together leaving vertical and horizontal canalsto receive the strips of wire and wherein the polymeric panes aresecured to contain the strips of wire inside the canals.
 5. The garmentof claim 1, comprising a second edge joining strap to secure twoadjacent lower portion edges together.
 6. The garment of claim 1,wherein the pliant support mesh or grid comprises wires inserted intowire receptacles formed on the lower portion.
 7. The garment of claim 1,wherein the pliant edges comprise wires inserted into wire receptacles.8. The garment of claim 1, wherein the neck end portions are secured byVelcro, a button, hook and loop, or a clip.
 9. The garment of claim 1,comprising one or more receptacles on the lower portion to receive atoy, an object, or a utensil.
 10. The garment of claim 1, wherein theupper and lower portions are foldable for storage.
 11. A method toprotect clothing from soiling, comprising: a. wearing an outer garmenthaving an upper portion having upper portion pliant edges and two neckend portions to secure the upper portion to a user's neck; and a lowerportion joined to the upper portion, the lower portion including pliantlower portion edges coupled to the upper portion pliant edges; a pliantsupport mesh or grid covering an area defined by the lower portionedges; and an edge joining fastener to secure two adjacent lower portionedges together; and b. forming a three-dimensional open ended containerby securing adjacent lower portion edges together.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, comprising forming a three-dimensional open ended rectangularcontainer by securing adjacent lower portion edges together.
 13. Themethod of claim 11, comprising forming one or more zippered pouches onthe lower portion to store one or more objects therein.
 14. The methodof claim 11, comprising changing the shape of the three-dimensionalopen-ended container by adjusting the pliant edges.
 15. The method ofclaim 11, comprising forming the mesh or grid by superimposing twopolymeric sheets together with vertical and horizontal canals to receivestrips of wire.
 16. An outer garment, comprising: a. an upper portionincluding: i. upper portion pliant edges; ii. a pocket positioned on theupper portion to store one or more items; and iii. two neck end portionsto secure the upper portion to a user's neck; and b. a lower portionjoined to the upper portion, the lower portion including i. pliant lowerportion edges coupled to the upper portion pliant edges; ii. a pliantsupport mesh or grid covering an area defined by the lower portionedges; iii. a first edge joining fastener to secure two adjacent lowerportion edges together; and iv. a second edge joining fastener to securetwo adjacent lower portion edges together, wherein the first and secondjoining fastener form a three dimensional food receptacle region. 17.The garment of claim 16, wherein the pliant support mesh comprises wiresinserted into wire receptacles formed on the lower portion and whereinthe pliant edges comprise wires inserted into wire receptacles, whereinthe wires allow the pliant support mesh moldable by the user to form auser defined three-dimensional shape.
 18. The garment of claim 16,comprising one or more zippered pouches positioned on the lower portionto store one or more objects therein and a Velcro strip positioned onthe lower portion to attach an object having a corresponding Velcrostrip.
 19. The garment of claim 16, comprising one or more receptacleson the lower portion to receive a toy, an object, or a utensil.
 20. Thegarment of claim 16, comprising an object with a fastener thereon and anobject securing fastener mounted on the lower portion to secure theobject to the lower portion.
 21. An outer garment, comprising: a. anupper portion having upper portion pliant edges and two neck endportions to secure the upper portion to a user's neck; and b. a lowerportion joined to the upper portion, the lower portion including i.pliant lower portion edges coupled to the upper portion pliant edges;and ii. a pliant, user-moldable material covering an area defined by thelower portion edges, wherein a user shapes two adjacent lower portionedges together to form a three-dimensional tray on the user's lap.